Roll of Honor
Incident
Posse Member Jim Cope was shot and killed in Encinal, Texas, while attempting to arrest a man who had shot at a deputy earlier in the night.
The deputy was investigating four disorderly subjects at approximately 2:00 am when one of the men fired at him. The deputy organized a posse that included Mr. Cope, another deputy, and another citizen. The posse encountered the group again at approximately 3:00 am. The posse was fired upon as they attempted to arrest the man who had shot at the deputy during the first encounter.
Mr. Cope was struck in the stomach and killed. Another civilian posse member was wounded in the leg. Two of the subjects in the group were shot and killed by the return gunfire from the posse. The other two were arrested.
No passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) June 25th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-D5F35359- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Posse Member Cope served with the La Salle County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cotulla community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Posse Member James Cope is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At La Salle County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Cope's cause is highlighted.
How James Cope Compares
Offender Outcome
Two shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Cope is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Cope was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from La Salle County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
